MMA News
Marvin Vettori says he's "lost all respect" for former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Surging UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori says he’s lost all respect for the division’s former champion, Chris Weidman. Vettori has been angling for a fight with Weidman for months, but so far, his callouts of the former champion have been fruitless. Now, he seems to have given up on that potential fight, conceding that he’s willing to fight pretty much anybody if he’s given five to six weeks to prepare.
Dana White confirms The Ultimate Fighter 29 will start filming soon, coaches TBD
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that The Ultimate Fighter 29 will commence filming soon, but the coaches are still to be determined. White has been teasing the return of TUF for the last several months, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed its start. It now appears that the UFC is ready to get filming again. Speaking to the media following Tuesday’s edition of the Contender Series, White confirmed that the UFC plans on starting filming for TUF 29 in Las Vegas in November.
Dana White explains why Khamzat Chimaev has two fights booked at once: "It's fun"
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why Khamzat Chimaev has been booked for two fights at once, saying quite simply that “it’s fun.” White recently revealed that Chimaev, a super prospect who many say is a future UFC champion, will fight Gerald Meerschart on September 19 in Las Vegas in a middleweight fight. Chimaev is then expected to fight welterweight veteran Demian Maia a few weeks later. It is rare for a fighter to be booked for two fights at once, which has led some fans and media scratching their heads. As well, Meerscahert called the move “disrespectful.”
Rachael Ostovich booked for first fight in nearly two years, gets Gina Mazany in November
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Fan favorite UFC flyweight contender Rachael Ostovich has been booked for her first fight in almost two years: a November 28 showdown with Gina Mazany. News of this matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie.
Dana White reacts to Nick Diaz comeback buzz
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White has reacted to the buzz surrounding a potential comeback for former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz. Diaz, who is also a former UFC welterweight title challenger, has reportedly undergone a test fight camp and weight cut and is plotting a comeback in 2021.
Gilbert Burns drops hint that Michael Chandler is UFC bound
Andrew Whitelaw - September 9, 2020
Michael Chandler is arguably the most high-profile free agent in the sport right now and his teammate Gilbert Burns just dropped a massive hint that the long-time Bellator star is about to seal his move to the UFC. What’s going on here @MikeChandlerMMA and @usantidoping ????? @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc pic.twitter.com/0R13Nv7cvT
Amanda Ribas slated for UFC 256 return against the former champion Carla Esparza
Andrew Whitelaw - September 9, 2020
A fascinating women’s strawweight clash is reportedly being primed for UFC 256 with No. 7 contender Carla Esparza set to take on No. 12-ranked Amanda Ribas. According to MMA Fighting, the UFC is looking to book this one for their final numbered event of the year which is confirmed for December 12. The card does not currently have any fights confirmed and the location is yet to be revealed. Although, it’s widely believed that the event will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns or a featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson, with both fights likely to be made official soon.
Augusto Sakai details gruesome injuries suffered in UFC loss to Alistair Overeem
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight Augusto Sakai has revealed the injuries he sustained during his loss to Alistair Overeem last weekend. While the rising contender Sakai did look dangerous at points during his showdown with the veteran, he seemed to be overwhelmed by “The Reem” once the fight made it into the championship rounds. At that point, Overeem completely took over before finishing the bout with vicious ground & pound early in the fifth.
Dana White reveals special start time setup for UFC 254: Khabib vs Gaethje
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White has seemingly confirmed that UFC 254 on Fight Island will feature a special start time. The plan appears to be for the UFC 254 card, which will be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje for the UFC Lightweight Championship, to be broadcast in the afternoon in the United States – allowing for European fans to watch it in primetime.
Video | Dana White reacts to Tafon Nchukwi's insane head kick KO on Contender Series
Adam Martin - September 8, 2020
UFC president Dana White had a memorable reaction to Tafon Nchukwi and his insane head kick KO in the main event of the Contender Series. A top light heavyweight prospect, Nchukwi landed a ridiculous head kick to knock out Al Matavao in the headlining fight on Tuesday’s edition of the Contender Series. Nuchkwi is just 25 years old and the victory over Matavao improved his record to a perfect 4-0. Considering he just turned pro in 2019, it is incredible what he has achieved in such a short period of time in the sport. Take a look at the Nchukwi head kick KO below via ESPN.
Aung La N Sang to defend ONE Championship title in October
Andrew Whitelaw - September 8, 2020
ONE Championship are currently setting up a stacked card for October with a return expected for one of their biggest stars, Aung La N Sang. Aung La trains at Sanford MMA in Florida and has been restricted from competing by the pandemic and the various travel restrictions in place.
Conor McGregor reacts to news that Nick Diaz is making a UFC comeback
Cole Shelton - September 8, 2020
Conor McGregor is interested in fighting both of the Diaz brothers. McGregor has a history with Nate Diaz as the pair fought at UFC 196 and UFC 202. In the first fight, Nate stepped up on short notice and shocked many when he won by submission. The Irishman then won their highly anticipated rematch by majority decision and ever since many have wanted to see the trilogy.
Patrick Mix expects dominant performance over Juan Archuleta to win vacant title: "I finish him in three rounds, I will break him"
Cole Shelton - September 8, 2020
Patrick Mix knows he will be Bellator’s bantamweight champion. On Saturday night in the main event of Bellator 246, Mix is set to take on Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight title. Yet, for the undefeated Patrick Mix, he doesn’t believe Archuleta deserves the title shot at 135-pounds.
Michelle Waterson has a simple game plan for Angela Hill: "It's not going to be strategic, I’m going in there to fight"
Cole Shelton - September 8, 2020
Michelle Waterson is on a two-fight losing streak but her confidence hasn’t wavered one bit. In the main event of UFC Vegas 10 this Saturday, Waterson is set to battle the rising contender in Angela Hill. It is a very intriguing matchup but one that was delayed from August 22. So, for Waterson, she is glad Hill was okay with the delay as she is looking forward to sharing the Octagon with her.
Nick Diaz betting odds released for who he will fight in his return to the UFC
Adam Martin - September 8, 2020
The sportsbooks have released the betting odds for who UFC welterweight superstar Nick Diaz could fight in his return to the Octagon. Diaz’s manager Kevin Mubenga announced this week that his star client is set to make his return to the Octagon in 2021. As soon as the news broke that Diaz was considering a comeback to the sport he helped make his popular, fans and media took to social media to start listing potential opponents for “The Stockon Bad Boy”‘s come back.
Randy Couture injured in ATV accident, will require surgery
Tom Taylor - September 8, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture and his girlfriend Mindy Robinson were injured in an ATV accident on Monday, and the MMA legend will require surgery as a result. News of Couture’s accident was first reported by TMZ Sports.
Nate Quarry claims he is still bound by UFC contract 10 years after his last fight
Adam Martin - September 8, 2020
MMA veteran Nate Quarry claims that he still under contract with the UFC—10 years after his last fight with the promotion. Quarry is a pioneer of mixed martial arts, having made his MMA debut back in 2001 in Extreme Challenge. He fought six fights on the regional scene before being signed by the UFC to compete on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, though he was injured on the show and replaced by his Team Quest teammate Chris Leben. However, he was signed by the UFC afterward and quickly knocked out Lodune Sincaid, Shonie Carter, and Pete Sell.
Gerald Meerschaert calls it "disrespectful" that Khamzat Chimaev is already set up to fight Demian Maia
Adam Martin - September 8, 2020
UFC middleweight veteran Gerald Meerschaert says it is “disrespectful” that Khamzat Chimaev already has a fight against Demian Maia set up. When asked last week what is next for Chimaev, the star of the UFC’s Fight Island experience in July, UFC president Dana White said the promotion has a unique plan for the Swedish prospect. White said the promotion hopes to book Chimaev against top-10 welterweight contender Demian Maia on Fight Island in October, but before that happens he already has a fight booked against Meerschaert on September 19 in Las Vegas.